5 Acts You Should See at the Latin Alternative Music Conference in NYC

The Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) takes over New York City starting tomorrow and packs its bags up on July 13. Before it’s over, we suggest a handful of must-see acts. We promise it’ll be worth going out in the muggy, sticky, NYC summer weather.

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The best Puerto Rican MC since Big Pun (RIP), brings his streetwise lyrics and hilarious adlibs (“Yaowa”) to the birthplace of hip-hop. Ortiz, one-fourth of the super group Slaughterhouse, rolls deep (Tego, knows) so expect a few surprise visits from his rap homies.

Los Rakas

When: July 10 @ 6PM-10PM

Where:LAMC/Central Park SummerStage Show @Rumsey Playfield

The Panamanian cousins, Raka Rich and Raka Dun, are the embodiment of the new millennial Latino MC—bilingual, genre-bending and, of course, lyrics for days. Check’em out on July 10 and you can also see rap vet, Fat Joe (might be his last performance for a while).

Carla Morrison

When: July 11

Where: LAMC Acoustic Showcase @ SOB’s @ 6PM-8:30PM

The Latin Grammy winner’s alt-rock vocals and heart wrenching lyrics are only surpassed by her stage presence and lively showmanship. Expect to have a great time.

Elastic Bond

When: July 11

Where: Marcus Garvey Park Amphitheater @ 6PM-9:30PM

With lead singer Sofy Encanto’s velvety vocals backed by a soulful rhythm, Elastic Bond are sure to gain new fans at this year’s LAMC. Added bonus: a screening of the classic salsa documentary, Fania All Stars Live in Africa.

Julieta Venegas

When: July 13

Where: LAMC/Central Park SummerStage Show @Rumsey Playfield @3PM-7PM

The Mexican alt-pop queen is in all her hipster splendor in NYC. Venegas’ fashion statements are as bold as her guitar-tinged songs.

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Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Jesús Triviño Alarcón began his professional journalism career at Vibe. At 25, he became editor-in-chief of Fuego, the first national English language Latino men’s magazine, and served as senior editor for Scratch, a magazine dedicated to hip-hop producers and DJs. Since then he has guided the editorial direction for MyNuvoTV.com, the online component of the Latino lifestyle cable network, and BET.com's music shows and specials including 106 & Park. Additionally, he has written and reported for the NY Daily News, SLAM, The Source, XXL, Inked, SOHH.com, People.com, Essence.com, and many more. In his 13-year career he’s interviewed countless celebrities including Carmelo Anthony, Demi Lovato, Marc Anthony, Rosario Dawson, Willie Colón, Jay-Z, Nas, Jessica Alba, John Leguizamo, 50 Cent, Kanye West, among others. Today, as Latina’s Entertainment Editor he’s constantly thinking WWJD—What Would Juanes Do? Follow me on Instagram @JesusTalks and Twitter @JesusTalkz.

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